May & June 2017 Previews: Carman’s Picks

America, 2020. Three young hackers with nothing to lose. A secretive scientist with a plan. One final job. What happens when you’re poor, angry, and get superpowers you never asked for? Skins + Unbreakable = GENERATION GONE, sort of- if you also include multiple trips to the sun, weird black goo, a breakup fight inside a nuclear factory, love, hate, anger, loss…and survival. GENERATION GONE is for every kid struggling out there. It’s about what it means to be young in the USA, 2017.

Okay, the time is right. I’m ready for a new Ales Kot book. His work has always had a lot to say about current social issues (just check out the last two sentences in the solicit) so not having a book from him for a while has felt like something was missing. Very much looking forward to this one.

Bottled TP

(W/A/CA) Chris Gooch

Publisher: IDW – Top Shelf

Jane is sick of her dead-end life in the suburbs, and desperate for a change. Her old friend Natalie made it out, living in Japan as a fashion model. Now, as Natalie comes back to town on business, Jane sees a way for her friend to do her a favor… whether she likes it or not.

Can’t say I know much outside of the solicit on this one, but the preview of the art looks fantastic. I will definitely be giving this a shot.

Redlands #1

(W/A) Jordie Bellaire (W/A/CA) Vanesa Del Rey

Publisher: Image Comics

A brand-new horror book from the minds of Eisner Award-winner JORDIE BELLAIRE (PRETTY DEADLY, Vision, Batman) and critically acclaimed artist VANESA R. DEL REY (ZERO, ScarletWitch, Constantine) brings you to the sleepy, sunny town of Redlands, Florida. The police are failing to maintain control of their old-fashioned town, and a coven of killer witches plan to take everything from them. This summer, hide your bibles.

New creator-owned horror! That’s usually enough for me to give something a chance, but on top of this one sounding like the right kind of creepy for me, we’ve also got Jordie Bellaire jumping into writing. Her coloring work is excellent and I look forward to seeing her work more with another medium.

In Limerick City, Jimmy “Hardy” Savage is a gangster on the rise, facing trouble from all sides. With the local cops, rival gangs, his best mate, and his mammy all out to stick a knife in him, will the bollocks live long enough to get to the top? More importantly, will he pay me back for that fiver I gave him last week?From the savage minds of DECLAN SHALVEY (All-Star Batman, INJECTION), PHILIP BARRETT, and JORDIE BELLAIRE (Vision, THEY’RE NOT LIKE US) comes an original Irish graphic crime novel that’ll leave you gaspin’…for a pint!

Speaking of Jordie Bellaire and branching out, here we’ve got an original graphic novel with Jordie Bellaire on colors and husband Declan Shalvey on the writing team. You may know Shalvey from his artwork on great books such as Injection and Moon Knight. Great to see him doing some writing, as well!

Ghost Money #1

(W) Thierry Smolderen (A/CA) Dominique Bertail

Publisher: Lion Forge Comics

At the end of the year 2020, a team of military veterans are out to uncover a secret fortune built from the ashes of 9/11 so vast that it could disrupt the entire global economy. Their primary target is a beautiful young billionaire who crosses time zones with disconcerting ease.

The premise here sounds like it could make for a good political thriller. I’m digging the art for this cover and especially the cover for issue two. Looking up the creative team, it seems that Smolderen is an essayist and Bertail is a concept artist. That could be just the right mix for a book like this.

Astro City #47

(W) Kurt Busiek (A) Mike Norton (CA) Alex Ross

Publisher: DC Comics

Meet G-Dog, possibly ASTRO CITY’s most unusual superhero ever. Half man, half dog – but who’s running the show? The answers will change a life, reveal another hero’s deepest secrets, and possibly, just possibly, save the world. Oh, who are we kidding… they’ll definitely change the world. Do you see that handsome face? Also featuring Honor Guard, with guest art by Mike Norton (Revival, Battlepug).

Look at that Ross cover. If you’re not already reading one of the greatest superhero books going, now is the time to jump on. Quick note — this is solicited as #47 even though the artwork says #46.